5 Amazing Things to do in Munnar

It would be a huge missed opportunity if you visit Munnar and fail to walk through the fragrant tea plantations. You will find huge green carpets of land in almost all directions in the tea capital of Kerala. A chat with plantation workers will be most insightful, as you can peek into their daily lives and learn about the art of tea harvesting. Most of these estates are privately owned, but tourists can arrange tours and spend a few hours inside.

There are two famous tea estates which you must visit when in town. The first is the Lockhart Tea Factory and Museum. At a distance of 30 km from the town of Munnar, you can visit here and be a part of many activities, like a stroll through the plantation, interacting with the workers, a tour of the tea factory, and a tea tasting session! The second place which is renowned amongst tourists is the Kanan Devan Hill Tea Museum. Here, you might not get the serene walk through the rows of tea leaves, but you will surely get the finer details about tea making inside their factory. So, visiting a tea plantation certainly qualifies as one of the best things to do in Munnar.

Just like any other destination with mesmerising hills and valleys, Munnar provides several wonderful opportunities for a trek. It is one of the adventure activities in Munnar and it will surely satisfy the adventurer in you. Moreover, most of the trekking routes are quite short and not very exhaustive. So if you just want a light trek with picturesque surroundings, then the following treks are just for you. The Phantom mountain trek involves an ascent of 400 meters. While the journey might be an excruciating one, with the trekkers stopping for a breath or two, be rest assured that the end view from the summit is worth it.

Another trekking route is through the Kolukkumalai tea estate. The trek begins from the town of Kurangani, perched at the height of 3800 feet, and the trek goes on for roughly 3 km. With the constant cold wind hitting your face and encounters with unique feathered creatures, reaching the summit will treat you with the best view of the sunrise. The Meesapulimala trek allows you to experience the chilly outdoors and the wilderness. You can sit around a cosy campfire at the base camp, which is at an altitude of 6000 feet. And then, the next morning will consist of the adventurous trek to your destination.

Whenever you go to a place with its own unique culture, it is an unspoken rule that you must experience the food that is made and consumed by the locals. Here too, tourists can sit down and enjoy a meal, Munnar-style. It is considered to be one of the most memorable activities in Munnar. The town has a variety of street foods as well as fine delicacies. One of the most famous Munnar, as well as Indian, way of serving food is the thali system. You can easily enjoy an innumerable number of locally-made dishes at an unimaginable low price.

One of the most popular thalis found here is the Kairali Thali. It is a vegetarian thali which comprises vegetable pachadi (salad), elaneer payasam (tender coconut kheer), mezhukkupuratti (a mixed vegetable stir fry), rice with sambar and rasam, and various other items. For non-vegetarians, Munnar is heaven. There are several preparations, including Kerala-style parotta with rice and a dish of fish or meat.

There is nothing better than grilling or cooking a fish that you have caught with your hands. You can experience this feeling here in Munnar. While the many tea estates are an important part of Munnar sightseeing, you can also enjoy some trout-fishing inside the same.

Located near the Rajamala range, there is a hatchery flooding with trout. You can go there and dip your fishing rods inside the glittering waters of Sita Devi Lake. Once you get your hands on a beautiful piece of trout, you can either throw it back in, like many others, or you can fix yourself some dinner. Most of the trout fishing is in the lands of Tata Tea company, and you will have to take their permission for the same. They have bungalows for rent, where you can have a more smooth experience.

If you are an animal enthusiast, visiting the Eravikulam National Park should top your list. It houses the very rare Nilgiri Tahr, who is nearing extinction. They are very docile and friendly creatures. You can give them a pat on their heads or even take a picture for the memories.

Apart from this rare creature, the national park is home to several species of both flora and fauna. You might also catch glimpses of majestic elephants having a stroll. You can also see the wonderful Lakkam waterfalls, which are nearby.

There is a huge pot of adventures waiting for you to come and unearth. So, pack your bags and experience it all!